Inmate tries to escape, bounces off bulletproof window

January 15, 2010 2:20:52 PM PST

By Lee Filas, Daily Herald, ABC7 news partner

January 15, 2010 (WAUKEGAN, Ill.) --

A Zion man who tried to escape police by jumping through a window learned the hard way Wednesday that what happens on television is not always possible in real life. Authorities said that Travis Copeland, 19, bolted out of a Lake County felony courtroom Wednesday and ran down the courthouse skyway over Washington Street.

After seeing Lake County Courthouse Deputies approach him from both sides and having no where to go, Copeland - who was in court after violating a bond condition - tried to shoulder block his way through one of the skyway windows in an attempt to escape.

However, the bulletproof glass on the skyway did not give way and Copeland, clearly staggering after hitting his head and shoulder hard into the window, took two steps back and lay down on the skyway with his hands spread over his head, waiting to be arrested.

About a half-dozen Lake County Sheriff's Deputies arrived on the scene and surrounded him, where he was handcuffed and pulled back into the courtroom.

"Our court security team reacted in a professional and timely manner," said Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran. "Mr. Copeland was obviously desperate and our deputies responded accordingly and without hesitation."

Officials said Copeland was not listed as a flight risk, and therefore was not handcuffed inside the courtroom he bolted from.

Copeland was brought back to the courtroom following the failed attempt, where his bond was increased from $50,000 to $1.5 million.

Authorities said Copeland was out on bond for disorderly conduct and aggravated battery of an officer when violating the bond he was in court for Wednesday.